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The Royal
Bardia
National Park is situated on the eastern banks of the Karnali river,
about 400 kms. west of Kathmandu. The park is 968 sq kms. in area and
extends from the Churia hills southward to the gentle slopes of the
"Bhabhar'. The higher grounds of the Churia have dry deciduous forest
of mostly hardwood sal. The porous slopes of the Bhabhar support large
open grasslands known locally as 'Phantas'. These are some of the last
remaining grasslands that once covered much of
the
Gangetic plains.
The western end of the Bardia is
bounded by numerous water-ways of the Karnali which have created many
large and small gravel islands. These islands and much of the lower
ground area covered by a mosaic of grassland and riverine forest of
acacia, sisam and the large buttressed silk cotton trees. In spring,
the silk cotton blooms and the forest comes alive with scarlet
flowers.
Bardia is the home of a wide variety of
animals, many of which live in and around the Phantas. These open
grasslands such as Baghora and Lamkoili are the best places to view
animals. The most conspicuous of which is the spotted deer. Other
ungulates include black buck, hog deer, samber deer, wild boar and
barasingha or swamp deer. Two species of monkeys, the langur and the
rhesus macaque are also present. The park is famous for its small herds
of wild elephants which are rarely seen. The park also boasts a small
population of the rare gharial, the marsh mugger crocodile and the
Gangetic dolphin. The island of the Karnali river harbours the
sub-continent's largest antelope species, the nilgai or blue bull. The
Karnali and Babai rivers attract a large number of wintering waterfowl
along with resident species such as herons, kingfishers and wall
creepers. More than 350 bird species have been recorded in Bardia,
truly a bird watcher's
paradise.
Entry Fee Per Person Per
Day
For Nepalese Nationals, Rs.
20/- For SAARC Nationals, Rs.
200/- For Other Foreign Nationals, Rs.
500/- (Note Entrance fee not required for
children under 10 years). Filming Permit Fee
(Documentary Films) For Nepalese
Nationals,
Rs. 5,000/- For SAARC Nationals, Rs.
25,000/- For Other Foreign Nationals, equivalent
national currency of US $ 1,000/- Helicopter Landing (Per Landing), Rs.
2,000/- |
Access To reach Bardia, take the daily flight or public
bus from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj, from where it is a five hour drive to
the park office at Thakurdwara. This nature sanctuary is best visit
form October to April.
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